Keeping the Kids Busy

Parents as well as neighbors love to see kids keeping busy in fun, active ways, for who hasn't seen groups of bored kids hanging out on stoops, streets or corners being loud or perhaps even unruly as they try to keep themselves entertained?

Fortunately, there are some great options for kids this summer.  Tyrell Pryor, a VISTA Volunteer who is working with TRIP for the summer, is compiling lists of camp opportunities, drop-in centers, and other events to share with kids and their families to keep busy in the next two months.  He is currently getting out the word about the City of Troy's free sports camps at Frear Park, arts camps at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, a new South Central Recreation Drop-In Center at the Italian Community Center and more. 

For more information, contact Tyrell at tyrell@triponline.org or check TRIP's website at http://www.triponline.org

Calling All Contractors

TRIP is co-sponsoring an 8-hour RRPI (Renovation Repair & Painting Initial) training session on June 30 from 8:15 AM - 5:15 PM.  This training will allow contractors to obtain certification under the new EPA regulations which require that contractor firms working in pre-1978 homes need to be certified and an employee will also need to be certified as a Certified Renovator.  There are a number of waivers under the new rule, which can be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.  For more information or to register for the RRPI training, contact Hilary at hilary@triponline.org

Supporting Neighborhood Improvement

Congratulations to the Troy City Council and Mayor Tutunjian for recently approving $6500 in small grants to 19 neighborhood-based projects.  Awards ranging from $150 to $700 will go to support projects that are initiated by neighborhood residents to "improve their communities, address neighborhood needs, and encourage residents to work together to enhance the quality of life for the entire community."  And kudos to the neighborhood leaders who took the time and trouble to care enough to come up with plans that resulted in a neighborhood improvement awards!  These leaders are from South Troy (three projects), Downtown Central (two projects), South Lansingburgh, South Central (two projects), North Central (two projects), Congress Street (two projects), Campbell Avenue, Eastside (two projects), Sycaway, Hillside, Griswold Heights, and North  Troy.

Are You a Troy Treasure?

TRIP is accepting nominations for the Sixth Annual “Troy Treasure” Awardee, which will be presented at the TRIP/RCHR Annual Dinner on October 20th at Franklin Terrace.  This award is to honor a Troy resident, community group, or business who is passionately committed to improving Troy, toils in his or her neighborhood out of a love of community, and demonstrates his or her hometown pride in Troy in very positive and real ways.  Criteria include that the nominee lives or works in the City of Troy; individuals must live or work here for at least five years and community groups or businesses must have been in existence for at least three years.  Nominations are due to TRIP by July 20.  Nomination forms may be found at http://www.triponline.org/ or hilary@triponline.org.  

Troy is lucky to have many treasures. Previous Troy Treasure awardees include Washington Park Association (2005), Osgood Neighbors and the North Central/S.Lansingburgh Neighborhood Association (2006), Friends of Prospect Park (2007), Alane Hohenberg for her visionary role in creating the Troy Community Food Coop (2008), and TRIP's previous executive directors since 1969 Vinny Lepera, Duncan Barrett, and Barbara Jones Higbee (2009). 

Vote to Help Our Community!

Are you on Facebook? Chase Community Giving is offering grants to local organizations. These groups need to be in the top 100 to win! Two organizations from Troy are asking for your vote. You only have to log in and vote once this month. Vote for the Contemporary Arts Center Woodside and Capital District Community Gardens to each get $20,000!

Start Time: Friday, June 18, 2010 at 5:00pm
End Time: Monday, July 12, 2010 at 4:00pm
Location: THE INTERNET

Capital District Community Gardens
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/141596291-capital-district-community-gardens-inc?vote_successful=true

CAC WOODSIDE
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/43115130-berkshire-school-of-contemporary-art-inc

Spring Means It's Home Maintenance Time

With warmer weather in the air, are you getting the itch to play in the sun, plant a garden, throw open your windows, and... have your furnace inspected?  That’s right!  Spring is a great time to protect the largest investment of your life, your home, by providing routine checks and repairs that can improve its appearance and functioning, while also preventing expensive damage. 

Here are some tips courtesy of NeighborWorks America, a national network of not-for-profit groups, including TRIP, that are committed to revitalizing their communities. 
 

NeighborWorks Home Maintenance Tips

Preventive maintenance includes routine checks and repairs that improve your home’s appearance and functioning as well as prevent more expensive damage from occurring. 

These include:
·    To protect against leaks and insect damage, inspect your home’s roof, basement, and outside wall
·    Inspect doors and windows for unusual wear and tear. Repair and replace caulk, weather-stripping, glazing, window and door seals as needed.
·    Inspect insulation and replace any wet or damaged pieces.
·    Clean debris from gutters and down spouts.
·    Examine carpets and flooring. Treat minor mold growths quickly with a bleach and water solution.
·    Have your furnace, air conditioner and hot water heater inspected, upgrading them as needed to improve energy efficiency. Replace air filters regularly.
·    Thoroughly clean lint and debris that has built up in dryer ducts and behind lint screens.

Home repairs and replacements include fixing or replacing appliances, fixtures or systems in your house as they wear out through normal use.
·    Repair or replace an inefficient furnace, air conditioner or water heater to save energy and money.
·    Repair and replace leaking faucets and plumbing.
·    Routinely replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries.

Taking the time now can save you expensive repairs later.  Don’t delay. 

Loan Scam Alert: Don’t Be Fooled

As more homeowners face foreclosure, we want to remind people not to get scammed by “loan mod” companies and other for-profit companies that make promises to rescue homeowners in default.  Their slick and appealing marketing materials may have you believing that they can save your home, your world, and your future, but don’t be taken in.  If you need foreclosure assistance, we urge you to contact TRIP’s HomeOwnership Center at 690-0020 for free, confidential, and professional assistance.  You may also contact any of the reputable not-for-profit housing counseling agencies listed on the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal’s website at http://www.nysdhcr.gov/Programs/ForeclosurePrevention/CounselListing.htm. 

Please also note that there will be monthly Foreclosure Clinics held locally with free legal review and housing counseling available.  April 15 and May 12 at the Legal Project. 5-8pm. Contact TRIP  at 690-0020 for more info.

A national campaign has been created by HUD, NeighborWorks America, and others to provide important info to consumers. You can find some valuable information at its website at www.loanscamalert.org.  A list of “6 Things You Should Know” is copied below from the website. 

New York State is also getting the word out to consumers to beware of scams.  A  Statewide “Loan Modification Scam Alert” campaign was launched last month during Consumer Awareness Day.  For more information, go to www.nysconsumer.org. 
·   
6 Things You Should Know
Scams aren't always easy to spot – but it helps if you know the warning signs to look for. Here are six red flags to indicate that you may be dealing with a loan modification scammer:

1. A company/person asks for a fee in advance to work with your lender to modify, refinance or reinstate your mortgage. They may pocket your money and do little or nothing to help you save your home from foreclosure.

2. A company/person guarantees they can stop a foreclosure or get your loan modified. Nobody can make this guarantee to stop foreclosure or modify your loan. Legitimate, trustworthy HUD-approved counseling agencies will only promise they will try their very best to help you.

3. A company/person advises you to stop paying your mortgage company and pay them instead. Despite what a scammer will tell you, you should never send a mortgage payment to anyone other than your mortgage lender. The minute you have trouble making your monthly payment, contact your mortgage lender.

4. A company pressures you to sign over the deed to your home or sign any paperwork that you haven't had a chance to read, and you don't fully understand. A legitimate housing counselor would never pressure you to sign a document before you had a chance to read and understand it.

5. A company claims to offer "government-approved" or "official government" loan modifications. They may be scam artists posing as legitimate organizations approved by, or affiliated with, the government. Contact your mortgage lender first. Your lender can tell you whether you qualify for any government programs to prevent foreclosure. And, remember, you do not have to pay to benefit from government-backed loan modification programs.

6. A company/person you don’t know asks you to release personal financial information online or over the phone. You should only give this type of information to companies that you know and trust, like your mortgage lender or a HUD-approved counseling agency.

For more info: http://www.loanscamalert.org/